Belt tensioner Roller failed, ruined my belt.

[Ex-Rocket]

I'm surprised that one of the belt tensioners manufactures didn't jump into the conversation and give us their take on the roller failureopcorn:opcorn:opcorn:

 

[007james]

2 Hours?

This was obviously a challenge to my wrenching speed. My Rebuttal is,...don’t judge with out ..........
1) hopefully living until your almost 78 , and trying to remove all of the Panels, and Tupperware from an RT Limited to get to the Dampener.
2) searching for the correct Torx drivers to match the various Tupperware screws, after searching for the Tool Kit that has been misplaced. Then, struggling to pull out the two that presses in to the rubber mounts with out cracking the Tupperware. Not a small challenge , unless you have done it regularly. Then, trying to figure out how to take out the plastic compression lock fasteners with out breaking one, because you don’t have replacement spares as Dealers have on hand,....” some times.”
3) but before any of that is started, taking off the mirror with out breaking the top plastic mount, or breaking the clips on the bottom two mounts is also very difficult for even Dealer Techs, let alone a Do It Yourself Novice working in a dark limited space in an apartment garage with no Tools other than the Spyder Tool Kit,....AFTER locating it.
4) then, assuming all has gone well in disassembly, and the Dampener has been successfully removed,
5) “ Some One”..... has to put all that stuff back together, hopefully remembering which part has to go back on first, before the other stuff that goes on top of it lines up!! ( and that usually requires multiple removals!) , hoping none of the screws and fasteners were not either lost, or mixed up with different panels. ( Murphy’s Law)
6) Then, getting the Demon Mirror back on, .....is surely impossible with out at least 15 minutes of contemplation, Prayer, Begging,....and finally CURSING, ....before ordering a set of Magic Mirror Magnets in anticipation of surely needing to remove Tupperware Panels again, in some near future.
7) heck, I think my estimate of two hours for that Job was at least two hours less than ANY Neophyte could do it, even after spending a half hour watching Doc’s Installation Videos!!

007James

 

[Copperman]

Last year I had a BRP belt tensioner go bad and was replaced with the same by Spyderpops. Almost 16,000 miles later it went out again. We were in Maggie Valley a couple of weeks ago and it happened on that trip. There is now a groove in my belt.

 

[AY4B]

I got my new tentioner today and while installing it I looked down and noticed I had the belt turned the wrong direction. After a few choice words I proceeded to remove the belt again and turn it around. I took a lot less time the second time around. I found that I did not need to remove the shock bolt. Just jack it up and it loosens up enough to work it off and back on again. BTW I never have received the replacement roller from RR after more than a week. Doesn't matter now, I have his competitors Damper in its place now.

 

[AY4B]

Last year I had a BRP belt tensioner go bad and was replaced with the same by Spyderpops. Almost 16,000 miles later it went out again. We were in Maggie Valley a couple of weeks ago and it happened on that trip. There is now a groove in my belt.

You need to replace it ASAP! Mine looked the same and on closer inspection It had a tear that was hard to see unless you flex it. I was thinking of keep ryding on it. This weekend I am going on a 2 day ryde to the Talimena trail. That would be bad if it broke while out on that trip. Im fortunate to have make it home from the Spyders in the Hills pulling a trailer. If you do go with a BRP damper, get Lamonsters roller on it.

 

[Cruzr Joe]

VERY INTERESTING

I use the BRP one and change it every time i get an oil change.

Cruzr Joe

 

[MeudtPG]

I got my new tentioner today and while installing it I looked down and noticed I had the belt turned the wrong direction. After a few choice words I proceeded to remove the belt again and turn it around. I took a lot less time the second time around. I found that I did not need to remove the shock bolt. Just jack it up and it loosens up enough to work it off and back on again. BTW I never have received the replacement roller from RR after more than a week. Doesn't matter now, I have his competitors Damper in its place now.

These tensioner failures causing belt destruction has me very concerned! I was going to install my brand new RR VIBRATION DAMPER Kit # 3 (FOR ALL RT'S) - UVBD3.1 this winter but now I do not want to install on my RT for fear of problems.
I paid $165.00 for this kit and will sell it to the first $150.00 offered.
I am doing more research before installing any belt tensioner on my Spyder. I do not want to create major maintenance failures by trying to improve my ride.

 

[AY4B]

VERY INTERESTING

I use the BRP one and change it every time i get an oil change.

Cruzr Joe

That is a very good Idea and habit to get into.

 

[h0gr1der]

These tensioner failures causing belt destruction has me very concerned! I was going to install my brand new RR VIBRATION DAMPER Kit # 3 (FOR ALL RT'S) - UVBD3.1 this winter but now I do not want to install on my RT for fear of problems.
I paid $165.00 for this kit and will sell it to the first $150.00 offered.
I am doing more research before installing any belt tensioner on my Spyder. I do not want to create major maintenance failures by trying to improve my ride.

That was my dilemma, which I solved by reducing my belt tension to the absolute minimum and removing the tensioner. Anything running on the belt can destroy it, which is not a good thing if you're in the middle of Big Toe, Nowhere. So I'll live with the very slight vibration, as it only happens infrequently and at certain power settings.

 

[007james]

That is a very good Idea and habit to get into.

Sounds like the same mileage that the rear OEM Kenda Tire needs changing, with cord showing in the center. So, Oil and Filter, Dampener and rear tire every 10,000 miles should become “ normal” Service.
007James

 

[EdMat]

Dang, last week they were a must have item. ;-)
:hun:

 

[Highwayman2013]

This was obviously a challenge to my wrenching speed. My Rebuttal is,...don’t judge with out ..........
1) hopefully living until your almost 78 , and trying to remove all of the Panels, and Tupperware from an RT Limited to get to the Dampener.
2) searching for the correct Torx drivers to match the various Tupperware screws, after searching for the Tool Kit that has been misplaced. Then, struggling to pull out the two that presses in to the rubber mounts with out cracking the Tupperware. Not a small challenge , unless you have done it regularly. Then, trying to figure out how to take out the plastic compression lock fasteners with out breaking one, because you don’t have replacement spares as Dealers have on hand,....” some times.”
3) but before any of that is started, taking off the mirror with out breaking the top plastic mount, or breaking the clips on the bottom two mounts is also very difficult for even Dealer Techs, let alone a Do It Yourself Novice working in a dark limited space in an apartment garage with no Tools other than the Spyder Tool Kit,....AFTER locating it.
4) then, assuming all has gone well in disassembly, and the Dampener has been successfully removed,
5) “ Some One”..... has to put all that stuff back together, hopefully remembering which part has to go back on first, before the other stuff that goes on top of it lines up!! ( and that usually requires multiple removals!) , hoping none of the screws and fasteners were not either lost, or mixed up with different panels. ( Murphy’s Law)
6) Then, getting the Demon Mirror back on, .....is surely impossible with out at least 15 minutes of contemplation, Prayer, Begging,....and finally CURSING, ....before ordering a set of Magic Mirror Magnets in anticipation of surely needing to remove Tupperware Panels again, in some near future.
7) heck, I think my estimate of two hours for that Job was at least two hours less than ANY Neophyte could do it, even after spending a half hour watching Doc’s Installation Videos!!

007James

Well, the more you do it the easier it will get and you'll be a lot faster. PS Don't let the mirrors get you!

 

[Cruzr Joe]

Dang, last week they were a must have item. ;-)
:hun:

See how fast things change

 

[Mikey]

These tensioner failures causing belt destruction has me very concerned! I was going to install my brand new RR VIBRATION DAMPER Kit # 3 (FOR ALL RT'S) - UVBD3.1 this winter but now I do not want to install on my RT for fear of problems.
I paid $165.00 for this kit and will sell it to the first $150.00 offered.
I am doing more research before installing any belt tensioner on my Spyder. I do not want to create major maintenance failures by trying to improve my ride.

Just back off on the belt tension a little from sec, turn up the radio and ride the darn thing!!!:thumbup: Or put it on , and check the wheel every now and then when you check your oil, or tire pressure! Then if it starts to go you will know it before it becomes a problem!!!! My RT has a small vibration, but you know I tell myself I could be riding a HD trike and it could be a LOT worse!!!:roflblack: Ride more worry less!!!

 

[Lew L]

Well with all this talk about the belt harmonic vibration dampeners failing-------- I had to go and check mine. It's in perfect shape, Roadster Renovations BTW. Rolls smoothly with NO play and original tension on the belt. It's a mod I'm glad I've done but---- also glad I checked. Now I'll check at least once a year. While down there I checked the rear tire pressure------ it had slipped to 16.5 psi with this temp drop ( 15*F outside) last night. A 30* change in a month ( average night temps) and it will cause a drop in tire pressure. It's back to 20 Psi now ( A General Alitmax).

Lew L

 

[YIRYDE]

I discovered I had the BRP Belt Tensioner inadvertently on my girlfriends and my 2018 F3-T after installing the wiring for our heated gear connection under the passenger seat. Our Spyders were purchased from different dealers and we didn’t ask them to install the Tensioner, so apparently it came installed from the factory.

I immediately ordered two roller upgrades from Lamont. The quality of the roller he sells verses BRP is like night and day. The BRP roller feels like plastic with one little bearing and this one is rubber with double bearings.

The larger roller is from Lamont.

 

[Ex-Rocket]

There sure is quite a difference in the inside diameter measurement of the bearing of both rollers you pictured. How is that going to work out?

 

[YIRYDE]

There sure is quite a difference in the inside diameter measurement of the bearing of both rollers you pictured. How is that going to work out?

Lamont includes a bushing with the roller, you can see more pictures and a video on his store site, http://www.lamonstergarage.com/can-am-spyder-f3-rt-belt-tensioner-idler-pulley-lamonster/

 

[krazykat]

I was noticed the damage on the belt while hooking up my trailer after SITH. Felt under the side and the roller was gone. What was left dug into my belt. I'm having second thoughts about even having a belt tentioner. :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

Big shout-out to AY4B for bringing this to our attention. Checked my RR tensioner and found roller detached from one bearing and coming apart on one side. Would soon have caused belt damage for sure. Removed it yesterday and will throw it away - not worth the worry of a roller on my belt. 18 months old and about 12,000 miles. Money wasted. Everyone should check these carefully and often. Thanks again to AY4B.

 

[AY4B]

Big shout-out to AY4B for bringing this to our attention. Checked my RR tensioner and found roller detached from one bearing and coming apart on one side. Would soon have caused belt damage for sure. Removed it yesterday and will throw it away - not worth the worry of a roller on my belt. 18 months old and about 12,000 miles. Money wasted. Everyone should check these carefully and often. Thanks again to AY4B.

12,000 miles?!! That is only half of what Doc said the warranty was. Glad you caught it. If anyone continues to use their RR tentioner the roller needs to be replaced with every oil change IMHO. Thats probably true with any brand.